Making Steampunk Jewellery by Nikki Druce

Author:Nikki Druce
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781785002151
Publisher: Crowood

Acrylic paint.

Acrylic paint, a multi-purpose medium, is versatile and can be used on items such as ceramics, metal, plastic and wood, amongst other surfaces. For most projects, craft acrylic is the best choice as it will have a mixed combination of pigment with an adhesive resin such as PVA glue or vinyl. Avoid using vinylbased acrylics on plastic as the adhesion will not be as long-lasting as PVA-based products. Try searching for products that state they are hard-wearing for projects you know will need to be durable and stand the test of time.

Acrylic paints are easy to apply as they are water soluble when wet. This means that any mistakes at the painting stage can be simply wiped away with a damp cloth. Acrylics set once they’re dry, making them water resistant and durable. As acrylic paint is fast-drying, it is a sensible option for coating smaller items. Most acrylic paints, when used in a single thin layer, will dry in one to two hours. They will provide enough coverage of an item to only require one coat.

Acrylics come in a variety of shades but you can also mix them together to create unique hues. Most craft acrylics have ranges of pigments that are incredibly diverse and span a lot of the colour spectrum, making it easy to pick the hues you need straight off the shelf. They come in a variety of product sizes; planning for the correct amount before starting a project is crucial to avoid running out or wasting money by overcompensating.

Primary colours can be purchased in large quantities; it is advisable to buy these staple shades so that they can be mixed to create any hue you wish. Buying white and black is also recommended for lightening or darkening shades.

When painting surfaces, ensure they’re clean and grease-free by using dish soap and drying thoroughly. Sand down wood before painting and always test paint on an inconspicuous area before committing to paint the whole piece. Use brushes that are suitable for the coverage you would like to achieve. For example, if you’re covering a whole item, use a medium to large brush. For smaller items, scale the brush size down so it suits the size of the line you would like to create. Invest in a small painting kit that has a selection of different sized brushes, an artist’s palette and a brush bag to store your brushes correctly. Most of these items can be purchased cheaply but the more you can spend, the better quality the brushes will be and the longer they will last. Cheaper brushes have a tendency to shed hairs onto the painted surface and these can be messy to remove.

Always be sure to thoroughly wash your brushes immediately after you have finished painting, as once the acrylic has dried it is very difficult to remove and they will be ruined. If you’re going back to a project and want to avoid washing your brushes in between, you can use plastic wrap to cover the ends, thus preventing them from drying out.

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